Examples of Typical Analyses

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FUEL

• Visual examination (eg ASTM D4176 modified if appropriate)
• Microscope examination
• IP385/99 for viable microbes
• IP 472/02 for fungal fragments

The IP385 test for viable microbes in fuels

BALLAST & BILGE WATERS & STORAGE TANK BOTTOMS

• Visual examination
• Total Viable Count of aerobic bacteria, yeasts and moulds
• Sulphate Reducing Bacteria by NACE TMO 194 procedures
• pH
• Eh
  

METAL WORKING FLUIDS

• Visual examination
• Total Viable Count of aerobic bacteria, yeasts and moulds (at temperatures appropriate to system)
• Sulphate Reducing Bacteria
• pH
  

OILS

• Visual examination
• Total Viable Count of aerobic bacteria, yeasts and moulds (at temperatures appropriate to system)
• Sulphate Reducing Bacteria
  

COOLING WATERS

• Total Viable Count of aerobic bacteria, yeasts and moulds (at temperatures appropriate to system)
• Nitrite Reducing Bacteria
• pH
• Legionella pneumophila (including serotyping)

Microscope examination is an important part of many of our analyses. It requires particular expertise which can only come through many years experience

Standard microbiological techniques can be backed up by rapid assesment (eg ATP luminescence) so that initial "same day" results can be reported by e-mail or fax where necessary. The scope of analysis can be extended to include other non-microbiological tests such as water content, particulates and filterability, HPLC for specific chemical components, where necessary utilising our close co-operation arrangements with independent chemists and engineers.

ECHA also carry out medium and long term investigations, for example:

• Biocide/preservative compatibility and efficacy studies in fuels, oils, industrial process and metal working fluids
• Challenge testing
• Assessments of the vulnerability of materials to microbial attack (eg protective and anti-fouling coatings)
• Evaluations of the efficacy of anti-microbial equipment and strategies.

Such studies are fully supported by our consultancy services.

ECHA offers a wide range of services including advice and testing to assist in the selection and evaluation of preservatives, identification of contamination sources, monitoring of contamination in raw materials and final products, auditing of production facilities and procedures and recommendations for good manufacturing practice. ECHA's test kits can also be an invaluble tool for ensuring good quality of final products. ECHA can also advise on best practice for meeting microbial limit specifications or, for example in the case of medical devices, sterility. In our laboratory we can conduct testing using validated methods to ensure product compliance.

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